Found via Google Book Search
Works of Rev Jonathan Swift, DD (1801)
"you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" p357
Thanks to all.
-----Forwarded Message-----
>From: Deborah Melnick <demelnick@earthlink.net>
>Sent: Mar 20, 2007 3:16 PM
>To: LAW-LIB@ucdavis.edu
>Subject: General quotation source and correct form
>
>This may be a long shot within our legal collections - we're trying to find the correct wording and the original source for the saying:
>
>You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
>
>It may be that this is a Portugese phrase and that it predates 1600's.
>
>The reference sources are conflicting.
>
>Please respond to dmelnick@courts.state.ny.us
>
>Thanks.
>
>Deb
>
>Deb Melnick
>Principal Law Librarian
>NYC Civil Court Law Library
>111 Centre St, Rm 1034
>New York, NY 10013
>646-386-5430
>dmelnick@courts.state.ny.us
>
>
>
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